USCG searching for a Missing Chief engineer from a tanker ship in Gulf of Mexico

The search operation of rescue crew, along with the U.S. Coast Guard for the missing crew member of a tanker ship continues. The chief engineer of tanker Elia disappeared 2 days ago in Gulf of Mexico. According to Corpus Christi watchstanders' information, crew members of the 800-foot, Liberian flagged tanker ship Elia, the 47-year old Russian chief engineer was last seen at 10:10 a.m., but he didn't show up after being requested at 10:30 a.m. At that time, the 115,338 DWT Aframax-International-operated tanker was approximately 20 miles offshore, sailing to Aransas port in Texas.

A Corpus Christi based HU-25 Falcon airplane, one helicopter and a Port Aransas based 45-foot response boat were sent by Houston sector of the USCG to help the search and rescue operation. The Corpus Christi crew also participates in the operation.

The USCG spokesperson, Margaret Kratz stated on July 8th:"We have dispatched Amberjack, an 87-foot patrol boat and a helicopter to conduct the search operation. If the crew is unable to locate the 47-year old Russian seafarer before nightfall, the Amberjack will search throughout the night."

She stated that the USCG is going to re-evaluate the current situation, as soon as the crew members engaged in the SaR operation return, to determine how long the search will continue. They have not announced the name of the missing Russian chief engineer of Elia, because his next of kin hadn't been notified, yet.